Location
The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was a brief battle near the Komandorski Islands in the North Pacific Ocean, roughly 150 miles west of Cape Wrangle on Attu Island.
Since the battle happened across the International Date Line, the Japanese record the battle as March 27, 1943 while American forces as March 26, 1943. Also known as the Battle of the Komandorskies or Battle of the Bering Sea.
Wartime History
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) "Northern Force" bound for the Aleutian Islands included Nachi, Maya, Tama and destroyers Wakaba and Hatsushimo escorted a convoy including Abukuma, destroyers Ikazuchi, Inazuma, Asaka Maru, Sakito Maru, Usugumo and Sanko Maru. The convoy was bound for for the Aleutian Islands,
Alerted to a Japanese force, U.S. Navy (USN) Task Group Mike commanded by Rear Admiral Charles McMorris was sent to intercept including USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), USS Richmond (CL-9) with destroyers USS Coghlan (DD-606), USS Bailey (DD-492), USS Dale (DD-353) and USS Monaghan (DD-354).
On March 27, 1943 at 7:30am U.S. Navy (USN) Task Group Mike off the Komandorski Islands spots the Japanese force on radar. At 8:40am Nachi opened fire, and USS Richmond returned fire. The battle was entirely between surface ships, making it one of the last solely ship versus ship gunnery and torpedo duels in Naval history.
Both sides suffered damage, with the US Navy ships badly damaged by the superior firepower of the Japanese. Although the Japanese force could have prevailed, Admiral Hosogaya withdrew at 12:30pm, unaware they had severely damaged USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) and American air cover was not in the vicinity. The brief battle is considered a strategic defeat for the Japanese, since they were unable to resupply Attu Island or Kiska Island. The battle was entirely between surface warships, making it one of the last solely ship versus ship gunnery and torpedo duels in Naval history.
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Last Updated
June 27, 2024
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